Ayrton Oneill
Basketballs are predominantly orange, but they weren't always this way. The first basketballs were brown, due to their heavy leather construction. In the 1950s, Tony Hinkle, then Butler University's head basketball coach, decided to change the colour to orange, as the brown balls were hard to see. Hinkle worked with the Spalding Company to develop the new design, which debuted in the 1958 NCAA Finals. Since then, orange has become the NBA's official colour for basketballs, although basketballs can also be found in other colours, such as white, red, or green.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Color | Brown, orange, red, white, green |
| Material | Leather, synthetic composite, rubber |
| Circumference | 29.5'' (NBA), 30'' (NCAA) |
| Weight | 7-1/2 to 8-1/2 pounds of pressure |
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What You'll Learn
- Basketballs were brown due to their heavy leather construction
- Tony Hinkle, a basketball coach, changed the colour to orange for better visibility
- The orange basketball debuted in the 1958 NCAA Finals in Louisville, Kentucky
- Basketballs for outdoor use are made of rubber, while indoor balls are made of leather
- The NBA's basketballs are made from leather from the Horween Leather Company in Chicago
Basketballs were brown due to their heavy leather construction
The first basketballs were brown due to their heavy leather construction. In the late 19th century, the balls used for basketball were soccer balls, which tended to be brown leather. The first basketballs, therefore, also had a brown leather exterior. The company Spalding and Bros created a more sophisticated ball made from leather in 1894, which was also brown.
The brown colour of early basketballs was a result of the material used to make them. As the balls were made of leather, they were brown, in the same way that soccer balls were brown at the time. This colour was not ideal, however, as it was hard for players, fans, coaches, and refs to see the ball, especially on grainy, blurry, black-and-white TV screens.
The brown colour of early basketballs was also a result of the manufacturing process. In the early days of basketball, the balls were made by hand, and the leather was often treated with a variety of chemicals and dyes to improve its durability. These treatments often resulted in a dark brown colour. Over time, the construction of basketballs became more standardised, and the colour became more consistent as a result.
It is worth noting that while the colour of basketballs today is predominantly orange, they are still made of leather, with indoor basketballs using leather and outdoor basketballs using rubber. The colour change to orange was implemented by Tony Hinkle, then Butler University's head basketball coach, who worked with the Spalding Company to develop the new design in 1957. The orange basketball made its debut in the 1958 NCAA Finals in Louisville, Kentucky, and was soon adopted as the new standard colour due to its improved visibility.
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Tony Hinkle, a basketball coach, changed the colour to orange for better visibility
The original colour of basketballs was brown due to their heavy leather construction. However, in the 1950s, Tony Hinkle, the head basketball coach at Butler University, led a campaign to change the colour of basketballs to orange.
Hinkle believed that brown was a poor colour for basketballs due to its low visibility. The rapid on-court movement of the ball made it difficult for both players and spectators to see, which negatively impacted scores. Hinkle chose orange as the new colour for basketballs, working with the Spalding Company to develop the new design in 1957. The orange basketball made its debut in the 1958 NCAA Finals in Louisville, Kentucky, and was soon adopted by the NCAA due to its impressive visibility.
The choice of orange was likely due to its contrast against the light-coloured wooden floors of basketball courts, making the ball stand out and easier to spot during fast-paced games. The colour also became traditional and iconic in the sport, with orange basketballs becoming stereotypical, although other colours such as white, red, or green are also available.
The change in colour was one of many improvements made to basketballs in the 20th century to enhance player performance, durability, and adaptability to different conditions. Other changes included the use of synthetic materials like rubber and synthetic leather for better durability and grip, the development of indoor/outdoor balls, and improvements in inflation methods.
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The orange basketball debuted in the 1958 NCAA Finals in Louisville, Kentucky
The history of basketball is a fascinating one, with many changes and improvements made to the ball over the years to increase its efficiency and versatility. One of the most notable changes was the introduction of the orange basketball, which made its debut in the 1958 NCAA Finals in Louisville, Kentucky. This game marked a significant turning point in the sport's history, not just because of the outcome but also because of the introduction of the now-iconic orange ball.
The story behind the orange basketball's inception is attributed to Tony Hinkle, who, until the late 1950s, was Butler University's head basketball coach. Hinkle took issue with the traditional brown colour of basketballs, believing it to have poor visibility. In 1957, he collaborated with the Spalding Company to develop a new design, opting for the colour orange due to its high visibility on the court.
The 1958 NCAA Finals served as the perfect platform to showcase the new ball. The game, played on March 22, 1958, in Louisville, Kentucky, featured the Kentucky Wildcats and the Seattle Chieftains battling it out for the national championship title. The Wildcats emerged victorious with an impressive 84-72 win over Seattle, coached by John Castellani.
This game not only marked a historical moment for the teams involved but also for the sport itself. The orange basketball, with its enhanced visibility, impressed the NCAA, who promptly adopted the new design. The Spalding Company also made history as the first company to produce basketballs officially sanctioned for competitive use.
While the orange basketball became the standard, it is worth noting that basketballs can be found in various colours, including white, red, green, and even multicoloured designs. However, the orange ball remains the predominant choice for official competitions, ensuring that players and spectators alike can easily track the game's fast-paced action.
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Basketballs for outdoor use are made of rubber, while indoor balls are made of leather
Basketballs, which were originally brown, are now predominantly orange. However, basketballs can be found in various other colours, such as white, red, or green.
The material used to make basketballs is dependent on whether they are to be used indoors or outdoors. Indoor basketballs are typically made of full-grain or genuine leather, which provides a superior playing experience and is the traditional material used. However, leather basketballs are more expensive and require a prolonged break-in period. They also need to be \"broken in\" and can be damaged by asphalt or concrete, so they are not suitable for outdoor use.
On the other hand, outdoor basketballs are usually made of rubber or composite materials. These balls are more affordable, durable, and offer a higher bounce on outdoor courts. They do not need to be broken in and are ready to use immediately.
Synthetic leather, which is more affordable and requires less break-in time than genuine leather, offers a good option for both indoor and outdoor use. However, synthetic leather may not last as long, especially in harsh conditions.
The NBA still uses leather basketballs with natural rubber bladders, while some high schools and NCAA programs have switched to synthetic microfiber or composite leather options for sustainability and cost reasons.
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The NBA's basketballs are made from leather from the Horween Leather Company in Chicago
The NBA's basketballs are predominantly orange, although some basketballs have a more brownish hue. The reason for the orange colour is visibility. However, the original basketball was brown due to its heavy leather construction.
The NBA's basketballs are made from leather supplied by the Horween Leather Company in Chicago. Horween has been the official manufacturer of the NBA basketball leather for the past two decades. The company sources steer hides, which are then transformed into pebbled sheets of leather. This process takes about 22 working days, with the leather travelling through each of the building's five floors.
Horween Leather Company works with top sporting goods manufacturers to develop its leathers, which are used for various sports balls, including footballs and basketballs. The company also supplies leather to Wilson, which produces basketballs for the NBA, WNBA, G League, and the Basketball Africa League.
The NBA switched from using Spalding basketballs to Wilson basketballs in 2020 as part of a 10-year deal. Spalding was the first company to produce basketballs for official use in competitions, debuting its orange basketball design in the 1958 NCAA Finals.
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Frequently asked questions
No, basketballs are predominantly orange.
The colour was chosen by Tony Hinkle, Butler University’s head basketball coach, in 1957. He decided to change the colour from brown to orange because the brown balls were hard to see.
The first basketballs were made of leather, which was dark brown in colour.
No, basketballs can be found in other colours, such as white, red, or green. The NBA and NCAA do not specify a mandatory colour for basketballs.
